Labor & Employment Law Daily Wrap Up, STATE LEGISLATION—VIRGINIA: Spanberger vetoes collective bargaining bill, drawing union backlash, (May 18, 2026)

By Patricia K. Ruiz, J.D.

Labor groups say the veto, which occurred after passage of the legislation by the General Assembly, undermines worker rights.

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger has vetoed legislation that would have expanded collective bargaining rights for public sector employees, prompting sharp criticism from major labor unions. The measure, passed by the Virginia General Assembly, would have repealed Virginia’s longstanding prohibition on collective bargaining by public employees and required public employers to negotiate in good faith over wages, hours, and working conditions with certified employee representatives. Organized labor groups, including the International Association of Fire Fighters and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, condemned the veto, calling it a setback for workers and a reversal of prior commitments.

Legislative framework.HB 1263, introduced by Del. Kathy K.L. Tran, and SB 378, introduced by Sen. Scott A. Surovell, were designed to create a comprehensive statutory structure governing labor relations for state and local public employees. As passed, the legislation provided for the establishment of a Public Employee Relations Board to oversee bargaining unit determinations and representation elections and directed agencies to promulgate implementing regulations. The bills also contemplated the formation of the Virginia Home Care Council within the Department of Medical Assistance Services to act as a public employer for certain home care providers for bargaining purposes. Both measures required parties to meet at reasonable times and negotiate in good faith concerning terms and conditions of employment.

Veto. After passage, Spanberger returned the legislation to the General Assembly with proposed amendments, including delaying implementation until 2030 and modifying provisions to allow bargaining only under conditions deemed appropriate by employers. Lawmakers rejected those recommendations on April 22, sending the original bill back to the governor’s desk. Spanberger subsequently issued a veto on May 14.

Union reactions. Labor organizations responded swiftly to the veto, characterizing it as a significant setback for public employees. The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) stated that the measure would have guaranteed bargaining rights for hundreds of thousands of workers, including firefighters and emergency medical personnel, and described the veto as inconsistent with prior campaign statements supporting collective bargaining. IAFF General President Edward Kelly said the decision “has broken that promise,” referencing prior pledges to support giving public employees “a voice on the job.”

The IAFF further noted that the General Assembly had passed the legislation twice and that unions, including the Service Employees International Union and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, had urged the governor to sign it. Virginia Professional Fire Fighters President Robert L. Bragg III stated that the veto affected more than 500,000 workers and said it was “a sad day for all workers in Virginia.”

The Teamsters issued a statement condemning the veto, emphasizing that the legislation would have established and protected collective bargaining rights for public sector employees statewide. Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien said the action was “an upsetting setback for thousands of workers,” particularly in the context of rising living costs. The Teamsters also highlighted their collaboration with legislators during the bill’s advancement and expressed appreciation for lawmakers who supported the measure, stating that the union would continue efforts to secure collective bargaining rights for public workers in Virginia.

Broader context within Virginia law. Prior to the proposed legislation, Virginia law allowed localities to decide whether to authorize collective bargaining for public employees under a 2021 statute. The veto leaves that framework in place, meaning that collective bargaining remains contingent on local ordinances or resolutions rather than a uniform statewide standard. According to the IAFF, some local jurisdictions have already negotiated agreements under the existing system, though it described the process as more complex than what the vetoed legislation would have established.

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